DEC Earns Seventh Reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

The Nashville Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is proud to share that it has earned re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

DEC Director Stephen Martini, Assistant Director of Support Services Patrice Coleman, and Accreditation Manager Adrianne Dillion accepted the official presentation this past weekend in Jacksonville, Florida.

Reaccreditation is a detailed and demanding process. This recognition follows a thorough review of DEC policies, procedures, and daily operations to confirm through real evidence that the department continues to meet national standards for how a 911 center operates, trains, documents its work, and serves the community. Completing it confirms that department policies, practices, and procedures match the highest levels of public safety professionalism. In total, DEC showed compliance with nearly 210 standards.

The department first earned accreditation in 2005 and has passed every four-year review since. This re-accreditation also qualifies DEC for Meritorious Accreditation, a recognition given to agencies that maintain accredited status for 15 or more continuous years. Agencies with this distinction receive an enhanced certificate marked with a blue Meritorious ribbon. Nashville is also one of only 40 cities to earn CALEA’s TRI-ARC award, which reflects accreditation across DEC, the Metro Nashville Police Department, and the MNPD Training Academy.

Emergency Communications Manager Adrianne Dillion, a 13-year veteran of the DEC, serves as the department’s Accreditation Manager. Dillion provided the following statement while reflecting on this achievement for Metro:

“I am proud to serve in this capacity, ensuring our center continues to strive beyond the excellence required by these standards across the continent. The Tri-Arc award highlights our partnership with the other public safety agencies within Metro ensuring we’re committed to achieving the best for Nashvillians and visitors to Nashville and Davidson County”.